Obituary for Mae C. McCurdy
Mae C. McCurdy, a long-time resident of Syracuse, NY, died peacefully on December 25, 2019 at The Cottages at Garden Grove in Cicero, NY due to chronic heart failure and complications related to Parkinson’s Disease.
Born August 6, 1934 in Paramus, New Jersey, Mae spent most of her childhood in Augusta, Maine leaving in 1953 to work for the Navy Department at the U.S. Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In 1955, she married William Rushworth and moved to Rochester, NY, a decision she says she regretted until the day she passed, with exception of her only child, Katherine, being a happy product of the 22-year relationship.
In 1982, Mae married the love of her life, Henry McCurdy, who spent his everyday showering her with kindness, generosity and affection. Hank passed suddenly in 1989 leaving a hole in her life that was never filled.
Travel was one of Mae’s great pleasures and she saw the world. It was on a trip to Russia in the mid-1990s that she met Placida Johnson, a California-based teacher who became her best friend and together they continued to see places and create experiences that would entertain them and others long after their travel days were behind them. There wasn’t a pub they didn’t like, a patisserie they could pass, or a person they wouldn’t talk to. They made friends where ever they went, many of whom stayed in touch with Mae until the week she passed.
Mae also enjoyed entertaining and was famous for her love of a cold Martini or Manhattan, preferably straight up. Her dinner parties were legendary both for the food, the appropriate table settings, and the ease at which she placed her guests. Entertaining for Mae was another story – the bar was high so you better put the wine goblets in the right place, teaspoons beside the knives and turn the knife blades in.
Her love of life, people and family were deep and true. She will be dearly missed by her daughter, Katherine Rushworth (James Ridlon), and her step grandsons James Ridlon, Jr., Kevin Ridlon (Janet), Chris Ridlon, and Kheley Ridlon (Melanie). She is also survived by her sister Dorothy Tweer, nephews Sean Dundon and Jason Wolfson and niece Deirdre Dundon.
All whom loved her will remember her for her wit, tenacity, intelligence, sense of fun, strong opinions, and conspiracy theories.
There will be no calling hours or service. Family and friends will celebrate Mae’s rich life together with a martini or manhattan at a private celebration.
Born August 6, 1934 in Paramus, New Jersey, Mae spent most of her childhood in Augusta, Maine leaving in 1953 to work for the Navy Department at the U.S. Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In 1955, she married William Rushworth and moved to Rochester, NY, a decision she says she regretted until the day she passed, with exception of her only child, Katherine, being a happy product of the 22-year relationship.
In 1982, Mae married the love of her life, Henry McCurdy, who spent his everyday showering her with kindness, generosity and affection. Hank passed suddenly in 1989 leaving a hole in her life that was never filled.
Travel was one of Mae’s great pleasures and she saw the world. It was on a trip to Russia in the mid-1990s that she met Placida Johnson, a California-based teacher who became her best friend and together they continued to see places and create experiences that would entertain them and others long after their travel days were behind them. There wasn’t a pub they didn’t like, a patisserie they could pass, or a person they wouldn’t talk to. They made friends where ever they went, many of whom stayed in touch with Mae until the week she passed.
Mae also enjoyed entertaining and was famous for her love of a cold Martini or Manhattan, preferably straight up. Her dinner parties were legendary both for the food, the appropriate table settings, and the ease at which she placed her guests. Entertaining for Mae was another story – the bar was high so you better put the wine goblets in the right place, teaspoons beside the knives and turn the knife blades in.
Her love of life, people and family were deep and true. She will be dearly missed by her daughter, Katherine Rushworth (James Ridlon), and her step grandsons James Ridlon, Jr., Kevin Ridlon (Janet), Chris Ridlon, and Kheley Ridlon (Melanie). She is also survived by her sister Dorothy Tweer, nephews Sean Dundon and Jason Wolfson and niece Deirdre Dundon.
All whom loved her will remember her for her wit, tenacity, intelligence, sense of fun, strong opinions, and conspiracy theories.
There will be no calling hours or service. Family and friends will celebrate Mae’s rich life together with a martini or manhattan at a private celebration.